Written in the middle of the last century by Rev. James Ridley, but purporting to be translated from the Persian of Horam, the son of Asmar, by Sir Charles Morell.
These tales have been reprinted many times; but it is very doubtful if they are based on any genuine Oriental sources. The amount of Oriental colouring may be guessed from the story of Urad, who having consented to become the bride of a Sultan on condition that he should dismiss all his concubines, and make her his sole queen (like Harald Harfagr on his marriage with Ragnhilda) is presented to his loving subjects as their Sultána!
32. Adventures of Zeloide and Amanzarifdine. Indian Tales, by M. de Moncrif (Class 4.)
Ordinary European Fairy Tales, with the scene laid in the East.
33. Nourjahad, by Mrs. Sheridan (Class 3.)
An unworthy favourite is reformed by a course of practical moral lessons conveyed by the Sultan through supposed supernatural agencies. Mr. Clouston regards it as “one of the very best of the imitations of Eastern fiction. The plot is ingeniously conceived and well wrought out, and the interest never flags throughout.”
34. Pajon’s Oriental Tales (Class 5.). These demand no special notice.
In addition to the above, the following Oriental works are mentioned in the Cabinet des Fées, but not reprinted:
1. Apologues orientaux, par l’abbé Blanchet. 2. Mélanges de littérature orientale, par Cardonne. (Paris, 2 vols. 1770.) 3. Neraïr et Meloe, roman oriental, par H. B. Deblanes (1759). 4. Contes orientaux, par M. de la Dixmerie. 5. Les Cinq Cent Matinées et une demie, contes Syriens, par le chevalier de Duclos. 6. Abassâi, conte oriental, par Mademoiselle Fault (ou Fauques) 1752. 7. Les Contes du Serail, par Mdlle. Fault (1753). 8. Kara Mustapha, conte oriental, par Fromaget (1745). 9. Zilia et Cénie, par Françoise d’Isembourg d’Hippincourt de Graffigny. 10. Salned et Garalde, conte oriental, par A. H. De la Motte. 11. Anecdotes orientales, par G. Mailhol (2 vols. 1752). 12. Alzahel, traduit d’un manuscrit arabe, par Mdlle. Raigné de Malfontaine (Mercure, 1773). 13. Mahmoud le Gasnevide, conte oriental, par J. F. Melon. 14. Contes Orientaux, ou les récits du Sage Caleb, voyageur persan, par Mme. Mouet. 15. Nadir, par A. G. de Montdorge. 16. Lettres Persanes, de Montesquieu. 17. Les Amusements de Jour, ou recueil de petits contes, par Mme. de Mortemar. 18. Mirloh, conte oriental, par Martine de Morville (1769). 19. Ladila, anecdote turque (par la même) 1769. 20. Daïra, histoire orientale, par A. J. J. de la Riche de la Poupelinière (1761). 21. Cara Mustapha, par de Preschat. 22. Des trois Nations, conte oriental, par Marianne Robert (1760). 23. Contes Orientaux, tirés des manuscrits de la Bibliothèque du Roi, 2 vols. 12mo. (1749).
This is the same as the Count de Caylus’ Oriental Tales (vide anteà, p. 508). Sir R. F. Burton has received the following memorandum, respecting a copy of an earlier edition of the same work: “Contes Orientaux, tirés des manuscrits de la Bibliothèque du Roy de France, ornés de figures en taille douce. À la Haye, 1743, 2 vols. 12mo, polished calf gilt, gilt edges, arms in gilt on the sides.